The main cause of tuberculosis (TB) in humans is the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Most cases of the disease involve the lungs. The bacterium can enter cells and remain inactive in a latent (dormant) state. However, the bacterium can become active to produce symptoms of the disease. In a person with active TB, the pathogen can be present in airborne droplets that are exhaled. Generally, a healthy person who inhales these droplets has effective defence mechanisms in the gas exchange system to prevent infection.